Biology

Biology is the science of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. Students take biology courses to prepare for a biology major, to fulfill general education requirements, and to meet prerequisites for related courses. A bachelor's degree in biology can lead to careers in health care, biotechnology, medical research, wildlife conservation, marine science, and education.

This general education life science course is intended for non-science track students. It uses an interdisciplinary approach to explore the science of ecology and address contemporary environmental issues seeking sustainable solutions. Combining classroom investigation with field exploration, the lab component includes several field trips to local environmental resources.

This life sciences course challenges students to think critically and demonstrate hypothetico-deductive reasoning within basic biological concepts, such as evolution, ecology, behavior, physiology, and development, while focusing on diversity within the animal kingdom. This course is intended for non-science majors. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for BIO 103, BIO 105, BIO 110, or BIO 111.

This introductory course examines plant anatomy, physiology, and classification. It provides a broad perspective of biological concepts and principles and covers both unicellular and multicellular systems. Topics include structure and function of life, metabolism and manipulation of energy, cell division, genetics, taxonomy, and the evolution and adaptation of living organisms. Field trips may be required. (Formerly BIO 150)

This introductory course relates basic biology to the emerging field of biotechnology. Topics include fundamental chemical processes common to all cells, biomolecular chemistry, cellular and molecular biology, classical and molecular genetics, and the molecular basis of immunology and cancer. The course highlights current advances in biotechnology, such as cloning, recombinant DNA technology, and gene therapy as well as the applications, social consequences, and ethical implications of biology and biotechnology in medicine and agriculture. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for BIO 103, BIO 105, BIO 110, or BIO 111.

This general education life science course introduces basic biological concepts in the context of learning about life in the ocean. The course emphasizes organismal diversity, how animals have adapted to the physical environment and anthropogenic impacts on the ocean including fisheries sustainability. The laboratory portion of the course combines classroom investigation with field exploration and emphasizes the scientific method, current research in the field of marine biology and the development of field sampling techniques. Students attend local field trips. (Formerly BIO 170)

This introductory general education life science course examines the ocean from an ecological perspective. Topics include patterns observed in the marine realm, interactions between organisms and their environment, the flow of energy through food webs, the structure of marine communities, and issues related to marine environmental sustainability and human impacts on ocean ecosystems. (Formerly BIO 172).

This entry-level course provides a broad perspective of biological concepts and principles. Topics include the process of scientific inquiry, the biochemistry of biomolecules, metabolism and manipulation of energy by plants and animals, cell division, classical and molecular genetics, development, systems biology, and the evolution and adaptation of living organisms. The laboratory component of this course provides direct participation in experiments, demonstrations, and discussions related to fundamental concepts in biology. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for BIO 103, BIO 105, BIO 110, or BIO 111. (Formerly BIO 100)

This laboratory accompaniment to BIO 111 provides direct participation in experiments, demonstrations, and discussions related to fundamental concepts in biology. This course further develops the student's understanding of topics introduced in the lecture. (Formerly BIO 101L)

This course examines the anatomy and physiology of the human musculoskeletal system. Upon successful completion, students will be able to demonstrate locations, actions, and roles of skeletal muscles and their associated skeletal attachments. Students study the gross and microscopic anatomy of bones, skeletal muscles, and joints in the human body in health and in disease states through work with human skeletons and models. This course is designed for students enrolled in selected occupational health programs.

This course surveys the organismal/meta-organismal half of biological disciplines. Topics include the taxonomy and physiology of prokaryotes and basal eukaryotes; the taxonomy, developmental biology, and physiology of plants and animals; and single-species population dynamics and interspecies interactions in communities. The laboratory emphasizes evolutionary process and mechanism, phylogeny reconstruction, comparative anatomy/physiology/survey of plants and animals, and life history evolution. C-ID BIOL-140.

This course follows a systemic approach by combining microscopic studies of tissues (histology) and organs along with gross/visual anatomical studies of the human body. Students learn dissection techniques by working with preserved mammalian specimens, including human cadavers. Because the course presents applied clinical situations, it is recommended for students majoring in the allied health field, massage therapy, kinesiology, and physical education. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for BIO 210 or BIO 210H.

BIO 210H: Human Anatomy (Honors)

Units: 4
Prerequisites: BIO 110, BIO 111, or a minimum 3-unit course in biology that presents principles of cellular life in its curriculum.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in BIO 210.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours. (0410.00)
Course Typically Offered: Fall or Spring

This course offers highly motivated students an enriched opportunity to understand normal human anatomy and to explore select pathologies (abnormal anatomy). It targets students looking for a more challenging academic experience that will include some human dissection and advanced reading of published scientific material. This enhanced course blends the systemic approach to the study of human anatomy with select regional dissections. It combines microscopic studies of tissues (histology) and organs with gross/visual anatomical studies of the human body. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for BIO 210 or BIO 210H.

This course presents the interrelationships of the various organ systems, based upon the molecular and cellular activities of the organs that comprise those systems. It emphasizes the integration of body systems for maintaining homeostasis through regulated metabolism and coordinated flow of information. This course is designed for students majoring in pre-medicine, pre-nursing, allied health fields, and physical education.

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of microbiology and the use of the scientific method applied to the study of bacteria and other microorganisms. Topics include the history, morphology, genetics, and physiology of microbes. The laboratory emphasizes methods for isolating, culturing, identifying, enumerating and controlling bacteria.

This supervised study of human dissection techniques includes a review of dissection procedures as well as practical experience with human cadavers. The course follows a regional approach to human anatomy and covers all major muscle groups, organs, nerves, and blood vessels of the body. It is intended for students who are interested in normal anatomy of the human body, pathology, and the pursuit of careers in the medical field.

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Biology that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.

This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.

Cooperative Work Experience is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

This course focuses on the molecular basis of human disease. Topics include genetic, metabolic, signaling, developmental, and infectious diseases as well as the biological mechanisms of immunity, cancer, and aging. This course develops students' understanding of the biological basis of human disease that will allow them to evaluate technological advances in therapeutics and diagnostics. This course is open only to students enrolled in the biomanufacturing bachelor's degree program.